(Draft) Global Leprosy Programme. Report of the Global Leprosy Programme for 2010 and Proposal for 2011

Transcription

1 (Draft) Global Leprosy Programme Report of the Global Leprosy Programme for 2010 and Proposal for 2011

2

3 Contents Page Global Leprosy Programme (GLP) Introduction Leprosy situation Achievements Challenges Activities implemented during 2009 and first half of Meetings Advocacy Programme Evaluation Capacity building Monitoring Field visits Research Activities planned for the remaining period of Meetings Health Service Manager Work shop Developing strategy for capacity building Programme Review Activities planned for Programme coordination Monitoring and evaluation Capacity building Surveillance of drug resistance Research Budget Special activities for countries under extraordinary circumstances (ending August 2010) Summary of expenditure of Global Leprosy Programme for Summary of expenditure of Global Leprosy Programme for Summary of expenditure for the Global Leprosy Programme iii

4 8.5 Summary of expenditure for Global Leprosy Programme 2010 (as of July 2010) Proposal for Global Leprosy Programme Consolidated proposal for GLP and the Regions Conclusion African Region (AFRO) Introduction Leprosy contribution to the millennium Goal achievement Leprosy as a component of NTD Leprosy situation analysis Leprosy prevalence trend in the WHO African Region over the past 5 years Leprosy new cases trend in the WHO African Region over the past 5 years Leprosy prevalence trend at countries level Prevalence/detection ratio Leprosy burden in countries of the WHO African Region Constraints Leprosy programme challenges WHO Regional Office Leprosy Plan of Action Mission of the programme Core functions of the programme Objectives Global objective WHO Regional office specific objective Regional targets and milestones Main interventions Budget Budget distribution for activities and for each year Budget distribution for group of countries for each year Budget detail for countries and Regional office Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation (SMHF) funds for regional leprosy programme 2010 mid term report Annex A Annex B iv

5 Americas (AMRO/PAHO) Summary Relevant Situation in Profile of New Cases Disaggregated by Country, Americas, Main Achievements Statement of Expenditures Regional Program on Leprosy Workplan Requirements for endemic countries Monitoring Disease Trends Capacity-Building and Competence within Integrated Programs Technical Support and Coordination Meetings IEC Activities South-East Asia Region (SEARO) Programme updates and country situation Updates on technical supports to the Member countries: Updates on leprosy activities in selected Member Countries Bangladesh India Indonesia Nepal Timor-Leste Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand Financial Statement TNF/SMHF Funds during 2010 and proposed budget for 2011 (the approved budget for 2010 includes roll-over from 2009) Provisional Budget Projection for Proposed budget for the Regional Office for January to December 2011: Bangladesh Bhutan India Indonesia Maldives Myamnar Nepal... 80

6 5.9 Sri Lanka Thailand Timor-Leste Eastern-Mediterranean (EMRO) Regional situation Reporting on expenditure statements of years 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 (as of end of August 2010) Expenditure statement of year Expenditure statement of year Expenditure statement of year Expenditure statement of year Summary of the carried over funds in years 2007, 2008 & Reporting on 2 nd part of 2009 & 2010 activities (as of end of August 2010) Plan of action for 2011 with budget requirements Capacity building of national staff Monitoring leprosy elimination efforts in EMR countries and advocacy for new initiatives Follow up and supervision activities: Funds requested for 2011 operational year Western Pacific Region (WPRO) Leprosy situation (END OF 2008) Progress report 2009 Work Plan Leprosy for 2011 WHO Western Pacific Region Major challenges and opportunities in the Region Regional Objectives vi

7 Global Leprosy Programme (GLP) 1

8

9 1. Introduction National leprosy control programmes in various WHO Regions have been successfully implementing the Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Leprosy Burden and Sustaining Leprosy Control Activities (WHO/CDS/CPE/Cee/ ). This strategy which is based on timely detection of new cases and providing free treatment with multidrug therapy (MDT) has been very effective in reducing the disease burden in many endemic countries. In preparation for the next 5 years, WHO in collaboration with the national programmes and various partners have developed the Enhanced Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Disease Burden due to Leprosy (SEA-GLP ) as a follow-up to the current strategy placing additional emphasis on sustaining provision of quality patient care and reducing the burden of disease not only in terms of new case detection but also in terms reducing disabilities, stigma and discrimination and provision of social and economic rehabilitation to people affected by leprosy. Integrated leprosy control services have played a very important part in sustaining services in many endemic countries. Referral centres those are net-working as part of the general health care system has been crucial in supporting the primary health care services in dealing with complications, prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation. 2. Leprosy situation A total of 141 countries have submitted reports to WHO at the beginning of 2010 on their country/territory situation. There were 38 countries reporting from the African Region, 36 from the American Region, 10 from the South East Asia Region, 22 from the Eastern Mediterranean Region and 35 from the Western Pacific Region. Table 1: Registered prevalence of leprosy and number of new cases detected, by WHO region, beginning of 2010 WHO Region Registered Prevalence a beginning of 2010 New cases detected b during 2009 African (0.40) (3.75) Americas (0.49) (4.58) South-East Asia (0.68) (9.39) Eastern Mediterranean (0.17) (0.70) Western Pacific (0.05) (0.29) Total a Prevalence rate is shown in parenthesis as the number of cases per population. b Case-detection rate is shown in parenthesis as the number of cases per population. 3

10 Table 1 shows the registered prevalence of leprosy globally at the beginning of 2010 and the number of new cases detected during the year 2009 as reported by 141 countries. The registered prevalence at the beginning of 2010 was and globally, new cases were detected during New case detection trends in the WHO Regions from 2003 to 2009 are shown in table 2. The rate of decline during the years 2006 to 2009 has been modest compared to the previous years. Table2: Trends in the detection of new cases of leprosy, by WHO regions (excluding European Region) WHO Region No. of new cases detected African Americas South-East Asia Eastern Mediterranean Western Pacific Total Table 3 shows the number of new cases detected during 2009 in 16 countries which reported > new cases. These 16 countries contribute 93% of the global new case detected during Angola reported less than new cases in 2009 and accordingly has dropped out of the list. Table 4 shows by WHO Regions, the highest and lowest proportion of MB, children, female and grade-2 disabilities among new cases (in countries reporting > 100 new cases. 4

11 Table 3: Detection trend of leprosy in 16 countries reporting > new cases during 2009 and number of new cases detected previously No. Country No. of new cases detected Bangladesh Brazil China DR Congo India Ethiopia Indonesia Madagascar Mozambique Myanmar Nepal a a a 12 Nigeria Philippines Sri Lanka Sudan b b b 16 United Republic of Tanzania Total (%) (96%) (95%) (95%) (93%) (93%) (94%) (93%) Global Total NA=not available a = detection reported for mid-november 2008 to mid-november 2009 b = includes data from Southern Sudan 5

12 Table 4: Profile of newly detected cases reported by countries with >100 or more new cases by WHO region, 2009 WHO Regions % multibacillary among new leprosy cases by countries with highest and lowest proportions % of females among new leprosy cases by countries with highest and lowest proportions % of children among new leprosy cases by countries with highest and lowest proportions % of new leprosy cases with grade- 2 disabilities by countries with highest and lowest proportions African Comoros, 32.70% Kenya, 94.27% Ethiopia, 6.50% Central African Rep % Niger, 2.16% Comoros, 31.76% Liberia, 1.45% Burundi, 20.71% Americas Bolivia, 34.75% Cuba, 81.82% Argentina, 17.72% Brazil, 44.84% Argentine, 0.60% Dominican Rep. 7.78% Venezuela, 6.0% Bolivia, 14.9% South-East Asia Bangladesh, 42.89% Indonesia, 82.43% Timor Leste, 33.13% Sri Lanka, 43.52% Thailand, 3.67% Indonesia 12.0% India, 3.08% Myanmar, 14.9% Eastern Mediterranean Somalia, 57.80% Egypt, 88.00% Somalia, 22.94% Sudan, 45.86% Sudan, 4.67% Yemen, 16.50% Egypt, 6.00% Sudan, 19.80% Western Pacific FS Micronesia 40.98% Philippines 95.04% Lao PDR 17.82% Papua New Guinea 40.69% Lao PDR 1.98% Papua New Guinea 30.30% Malaysia 4.28% China 22.80% Table 5: Number of leprosy cases with grade-2 disabilities detected among new cases a by WHO region, WHO Region African (0.69) (0.62) (0.46) (0.51) (0.51) (0.41) Americas (0.33) (0.25) (0.27) (0.42) (0.29) (0.30) South-East Asia (0.43) (0.37) (0.35) (0.37) (0.39) (0.41) Eastern Mediterranean 380 (0.09) 335 (0.07) 384 (0.08) 466 (0.10) 687 (0.14) 608 (0.11) Western Pacific 754 (0.04) 673 (0.04) 671 (0.04) 604 (0.03) 592 (0.03) 635 (0.04) Total (0.29) (0.25) (0.23) (0.26) (0.25) (0.25) a Values are numbers (rate/ population) 6

13 The trend of new cases with grade-2 disabilities and rates per population from 2004 to 2009 are shown in table 5. Annually, around 12,000 to 14,000 new cases with grade-2 disabilities are being detected globally. In 2009, the rate of new cases with grade-2 disabilities ranges between 0.04 in Western Pacific to 0.41 per 100,000 population in the African and South East Asia Regions. Table 6 shows the trend of relapse cases reported globally each year from 2004 to Relapse cases reported from countries annually has been fairly stable at about to cases. The number of countries reporting data on relapses has increased significantly during Table 6: The number of relapsed leprosy cases reported globally, Year No. of countries reporting No. of relapses Achievements Between 1985 and the beginning of 2010, close to 15.5 million persons affected by leprosy were diagnosed and cured with MDT. During 2009 biennium, the Global Leprosy Programme, under the leadership of the Regional Director of the WHO South-East Asia Region, has effectively carried out its activities in collaboration with the various Regions, partners and Member States of the Organization. The Enhanced Global Strategy for Further Reducing the Disease Burden due to Leprosy (SEA-GLP ) and its Updated Operational Guidelines (SEA-GLP ) were developed in collaboration with various stakeholders, and these were endorsed by all partners at the Global Programme Manager s Meeting held in New Delhi in April 2009 (SEA-GLP ). The number of countries that have attained the goal of elimination of leprosy as a public health problem (reporting prevalence rates less than one per population) reduced from 122 in 1985 to two at the beginning of 2009 (Brazil, Nepal and Timor Leste). Nepal achieved the goal of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem by the end of Drugs required for multidrug therapy have been made available to all Member States of WHO. This will be continued beyond

14 Measures to eliminate stigma and discrimination against persons affected by leprosy were initiated in endemic countries. Continued efforts are being made to improve collaboration and create greater synergy with national and international partners. Efforts are continuing to improve collaboration and create greater synergy with national and international partners. 4. Challenges The leprosy control programmes in Member States have been successful in their efforts to reduce the disease burden. However, these cannot afford to be complacent and it is important to sustain political commitment in the context of the declining number of new case cases and the competing priorities. Maintaining expertise in leprosy among health workers, especially in countries where the disease has become relatively rare, is another issue that the national programme will have to address. There is also a need to augment current information, education and communication (IEC) efforts to improve awareness and reduce stigma and social discrimination against persons affected by leprosy and their families. Efforts at reducing the magnitude of the disability burden and developing appropriate tools for the prevention of disabilities and rehabilitation need to be further promoted. Research will be needed to develop tools to prevent the occurrence of leprosy (vaccine/chemoprophylaxis) and to develop better and shorter treatment regimens which can be used more effectively in integrated leprosy control programmes. Sustaining effective partnerships based on mutual trust, equality and unity of purpose. 5. Activities implemented during 2009 and first half of 2010 The following activities were carried out during 2009 and in the first half of Meetings Global Programme Managers meeting on Leprosy Control Strategy was organized by GLP in SEARO New Delhi, India from April 2009, to develop strategy for the next five years ( ). It was attended by over 130 participants representing national programme managers, experts, partners and persons affected by leprosy (report reference SEA.GLP ). During the 3 days meeting the draft document of the global strategy and the operational guidelines were discussed. The outcome of this meeting was that a consensus was reached and the Enhanced Global Strategy for further reducing the disease burden due to leprosy (reference SEA.GLP ) and its 8

15 Updated Operational Guidelines and (reference SEA.GLP ) was endorsed by all the participants. The 10 th TAG meeting was successfully organized on 23 rd April 2009 in New Delhi, India (reference SEA.GLP ). Participated in the inter-country meetings held for the Eastern Mediterranean Region in Cairo, Egypt (July 2009), in the Western Pacific Region in Shanghai, China (June 2009), in African Region in Brazaville, Congo (June 2010) and South East Asia Region, Colombo, Sri Lanka (July 2010). A meeting to discuss and review data on drug resistance was held in Paris from October 2009 (SEA-GLP ). An informal consultation meeting was organized in London on Monitoring Grade 2 Disability rate and Applicability of Chemoprophylaxis in Leprosy Control in November 2009 (reference SEA-GLP ) Meeting to develop guidelines to Strengthen the participation of leprosy affected people in leprosy services was organized by GLP in Manila, Philippines at the office of the Western Pacific Region on 9 th and 10 th June Advocacy Participated in the advocacy meetings held in India with various partners aimed at supporting national programme activities for leprosy control. Participated in the ILEP Technical Commission meetings held in New Delhi, India (April 2009 and June 2010) and in London (March 2010). 5.3 Programme Evaluation Supported the National Programme of Myanmar in the review of the programme and developing the work plans for Capacity building Capacity building workshops for health service manager in-charge of leprosy control programmes from low endemic countries were carried out in Taiz, Yemen (EMR) in February 2009, Shanghai China (WPR) in June 2009 and Dhaka, Bangladesh (SEAR) in June Monitoring A sentinel surveillance network to monitor drug resistance in leprosy was also set up in eight endemic countries. 9

16 The data on drug resistance for the year was published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record (No. 26, 2009, ). Drug resistance data for the 2009 was published in Weekly Epidemiological Record (No.29, 2010, 85, ) The global leprosy situation is being monitored and data from over 120 countries have been compiled for 2009 and from over 140 countries in 2010 and published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record (No. 33, 2009, and No.35, 2010, 85, ). Review of detection trends in Yemen, China and Indonesia was carried out and the results published in the Weekly Epidemiological Record (No.21, 2009, , No. 17, 2010, 85, and No.26, 2010, 85, ) 5.6 Field visits Field visits were made to China in April 2010 to review the activities carried out by the national programme. 5.7 Research Participated in the review of the U-MDT study that was conducted by WHO collaborating centre, the National Institute of Epidemiology, ICMR, Chennai, India and TDR. Uniform MDT study is progressing according to the protocol. 6. Activities planned for the remaining period of Meetings Organize an Expert Committee Meeting on Leprosy in Geneva, Switzerland in October 2010 Organize a meeting on sentinel surveillance for drug resistance in November 2010 in Tokyo, Japan. 6.2 Health Service Manager Work shop In collaboration with the Regions and partners, one workshops for health service managers from low endemic countries to be held in PAHO/AMRO. 6.3 Developing strategy for capacity building In collaboration with various partners, WHO will be developing a broad strategy for capacity building with the aim to maintain expertise at country level to sustain leprosy control activities especially under low endemic conditions. This strategy will address the training needs of all categories of health workers involved in an integrated leprosy control programme. 10

17 6.4 Programme Review Review of programme in selected countries in coordination with all the regions. 7. Activities planned for Programme coordination Technical Advisory Group meeting Coordination meetings with partners Participate in various advocacy meetings at all levels Meetings at country level for programme coordination and planning Informal consultation meeting on recent developments in treatment of reactions 7.2 Monitoring and evaluation Collect and publish country, regional and global statistics Programme evaluations in selective countries in collaboration with the Regions Field visits to selective countries to review activities 7.3 Capacity building Workshops for health service managers on leprosy control in SEARO. Developing a comprehensive capacity building strategy for integrated leprosy control programmes with the aim to maintain expertise at country level in endemic countries. 7.4 Surveillance of drug resistance Support sentinel sites and monitor surveillance of drug resistance Organize meeting on sentinel surveillance for drug resistance 7.5 Research Monitor Uniform-MDT studies in India and Brazil 11

18 8. Budget 8.1 Special activities for countries under extraordinary circumstances (ending August 2010) Broad Areas of work Allotted Budget Activities in 2010 Expenditure Remaining Funds* Support leprosy control programme in countries faced with extraordinary circumstances 350,833 Support to Afghanistan National Leprosy Control Programme 48, ,883 TOTAL 350, , ,883 * PSC 13% has been deducted in the Global Management System 8.2 Summary of expenditure of Global Leprosy Programme for 2007 Broad Areas of work Activities Allotted Budget Expenditure (including PSC) Remaining Funds 1. Coordination of Global programme 1.1 Technical Advisory Group Meeting 1.2 Participation in meetings for advocacy 70,000 72,000-2,000 40,000 42,492-2, Office support 20,000 21,160-1, Secretarial support 30,000 30,000 0 sub-total 160, ,652-5, Monitoring and Evaluation 2.1 Independent evaluation of national programmes 2.2. Field visits to review programme activities in selected countries 30,000 31,576-1,567 60,000 47,401 12,599 sub-total 90,000 78,977 11,023 TOTAL 250, ,629 5,371 12

19 8.3 Summary of expenditure of Global Leprosy Programme for 2008 Broad Areas of work Activities Allotted Budget Expenditure Balance 1. Coordination of Global Leprosy Programme 1.1 Technical Advisory Group Meeting (carried out in April 2009 as roll-over funds) 1.2 Participation in meetings for advocacy and programme coordination 75,000 76,833-1,833 40,000 39, Office support 20,000 22,488-2, Secretarial support 35,000 35,000 0 Sub-total 170, ,548-3, Monitoring and Evaluation 2.1 Programme Review 40,000 33,698 6, Field visits to review country activities 40,000 37,332 2,668 Sub-total 80,000 71,030 8,970 GRAND TOTAL 250, ,578 5,422 13

20 8.4 Summary of expenditure for the Global Leprosy Programme 2009 Broad Areas of work Activities Allocated Budget Expenditure Remainin g Balance 1. Coordination of Global programme 1.1 Participation in meetings for advocacy and programme coordination 1.2 Office support (stationary, printing, and mailing) 45,000 33,200 11,800 20,000 26,524-6, Secretarial support 35,000 35,000 0 Sub-total 100,000 94,724 5, Monitoring and Evaluation 2.1 Programme Review in selective countries 2.2 Field visits to review country activities 35,000 35, ,000 29,004 10,996 Sub-total 75,000 64,438 10, Sentinel surveillance for Drug Resistance 3.1 Collaborative meeting with national programme managers and reference laboratories on sentinel surveillance for drug resistance 40,000 46,783-6,783 Sub-total 40,000 46,783-6,783 TOTAL 215, ,945 9,055 14

21 8.5 Summary of expenditure for Global Leprosy Programme 2010 (as of July 2010) Broad Areas of work Activities Budget received Budget allocated (-PSC) Expenditure Remaining Balance Remarks 1. Coordination of Global programme 1.1 Participation in meetings for advocacy and programme coordination 1.2 Office support (stationary, printing, and mailing) 30,000 26,550 12,257 14,293 20,000 17,700 14,871 2, Secretarial support 35,000 31,000 31, Technical Advisory Group meeting 75,000 66,370 66,370 Meeting planned for in 1st Qr 2011 Sub-total 160, ,620 58,128 83, Monitoring and Evaluation 2.1 Programme Review and advocacy to sustain leprosy control activities in selective countries 2.2 Field visits to review country activities 50,000 44,250 3,215 41,035 40,000 35,400 8,598 26,802 Sub-total 90,000 79,650 11,813 67, Sentinel surveillance for Drug Resistance 3.1 Sentinel surveillance for Drug Resistance Meeting for quality control, standardization of procedures and expansion of surveillance net-work 70,000 61,950 61,950 0 Meeting planned for 9-10 Nov 2010 Sub-total 70,000 61,950 61, Strengthening participation of person affected by leprosy 4.1 Workshop to develop guidelines to strengthen participation of persons affected by leprosy 50,000 44,250 46,128-1,878 Additional funds USD 15,478 received from SMHF Sub-total 50,000 44,250 46,128-1,878 TOTAL 370, , , ,451 Out of the remaining funds in 2010 support, USD 66,370 will be rolled over into 2011 as the Technical Advisory Group meeting will be held only during the first quarter of The balance of USD 83,081 is expected to be used for the activities planned for in the remaining period of 2010 and first quarter of

22 8.6 Proposal for Global Leprosy Programme Broad Areas of work Activities Planned Budget Remarks 1. Coordination of Global programme 1.1 Participation in meetings for advocacy and programme coordination 1.2 Office support (stationary, printing, and mailing) 30,000 30, Secretarial support 35, Technical Advisory Group meeting Remaining funds from 2010 to be used Sub-total 95, Monitoring and Evaluation 2.1 Programme Reviews to sustain leprosy control activities in 3 selective countries 2.2 Field visits to review country activities 75,000 40,000 Sub-total 115, Sentinel surveillance for Drug Resistance 3.1 Drug Resistance Meeting to review data, discuss issues on quality control, standardization of procedures and expansion of surveillance net-work 70,000 Sub-total 70, Workshop for health service managers from low endemic countries 4.1 To train programme managers from low endemic countries who are working for integrated programmes 40,000 The Netherlands Leprosy Relief and German Leprosy and TB Association has provided the necessary funds Sub-total 40,000 GRAND TOTAL 320,000 Request from TNF 280,000 16

23 9. Consolidated proposal for GLP and the Regions 2011 Consolidated proposal for implementation of the Enhanced Global Strategy and its Operational Guidelines in the regions and headquarters are as follows. Summary of funds requested for 2011 (in US $) Regions Budget (US$) HQ/GLP 280,000 AFRO 1,225,000 AMRO 423,000 SEARO 1,110,000 EMRO 50,000 WPRO 464,000 Total 3,552, Conclusion As a result of sustained activities on the part of national programmes and with support from various partners both national as well as international, the disease burden due to leprosy is expected to reduce further in the coming years. Along with the reduction in new case detections, the damaging impact of the disease on the physical, social and economic well-being of individuals and families affected by leprosy are also expected to be decline. This is expected to be achieved through efforts to empower persons affected by leprosy, getting support from local communities and partners and ensuring that issues relating to stigma, discrimination and rehabilitation are tackled in a more integrated and inclusive manor. As such, persons affected by leprosy needing disability care should be able to access integrated health services. It is important the current trend of declining disease burden be maintained in all endemic countries. To achieve this national programmes need to ensure that new cases are detected in a timely fashion, cases are properly diagnosed and promptly treated with free MDT, improve management of complications and side effects and increase community awareness about the disease so that cases self report for diagnosis at an early stage. The Enhanced Global Strategy has placed emphasis on reducing grade 2 disabilities among new cases and this should help to guide national programmes in ensuring timely case finding before impairment and disabilities sets in and to ensure that patients are promptly treated and cured with MDT will be important for national programmes in preparing for the implementation of the Enhanced Global Strategy and in improving the quality of reports on grade 2 disabilities by ensuring that complete and accurate disability assessments are carried out on all new cases. 17

24

25 African Region (AFRO) 19

26

27 1. Introduction Leprosy is one of the most devastating chronic diseases. Leprosy does not kill but it gnaws at you. It amputates you, both physically and mentally. It impoverishes and plunges you into a situation of cruel dependency. The weakened people affected by leprosy are sometimes, and even often, also rejected by his family and community. He experiences discrimination, which overwhelms him. Eliminating leprosy amounts to saying no to this unacceptable social situation, but which, unfortunately, is still common in many localities of our Region, despite the efforts to reduce the burden of the disease in the African Region. Despite the social and economic difficulties experienced by Africa, the fight against leprosy in the Region has registered some good results by reducing the burden of the disease and rehabilitating people affected in several of our countries. Today, nearly everywhere, the communities are discovering that leprosy is an infectious disease as many others. The populations are now aware that leprosy can be cured and that its treatment is available and free for all patients in health centres. However, there are still a good number of patients who do not attend the health facilities for early detection and who run the risk of being diagnosed at an advanced stage of the disease, thus exposing them to disabilities. These same people are also becoming the reservoir that is sustaining the transmission of the disease. As a matter of fact, the leprosy burden in several areas and pockets within countries in Africa is a public health problem. Identifying the last patients at the local level is increasingly difficult thus free treatment would fail to reach them before deformities have been occurred. Therefore, greater attention should also be paid to patients who face human rights violations and who require help for their physical and socioeconomic rehabilitation. Quite fortunately, the efforts by all have helped to drastically reduce the rate of leprosy infection since the adoption of Resolution WHA44.9 of the World Health Assembly in 1991 and Resolution AFR/RC44/R5 in 1994 of the WHO Regional Committee of Africa. To date, the Member-States of the African Region have achieved the objective of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem at the national level. At the beginning of 2010, the average prevalence rate of leprosy in the Region was 0.48 cases for 10,000 inhabitants with reference to the country reports compile at WHO AFRO for However, in several countries, the objective of eliminating leprosy as a public health problem remains a challenge at the district level, where the situation varies from one country to the other and even from one district to the other. There are communities where the prevalence of leprosy is still higher, with many cases registered. One example is the Tanganyika health sector in RDC with a prevalence rate of 4.97 cases per inhabitants in while most of health districts of the country have less thank one case per 10,000 inhabitants. In this context, it is necessary to find new approaches to improve the results at district level. We have also reached a point where we need to intensify our advocacy efforts, as well as the prevention and rehabilitation measures. 1 = Table n 1 in annex : Compilation of MOH annual report for = «Rapport épidémiologique de la lèpre» MOH / RDC of

28 The new global strategy that was adopted recently is a good basis for discussions that should enable us, taking into account the context of the African Region, to develop the broad lines of a regional draft strategy by defining the targets, the objectives, the main activities and approaches to be used. The achievement of an objective demands resources. The objectives and the targets to be achieved need to develop new approaches that will help to conduct an effective resource mobilization campaign. Strengthen collaboration among stakeholders will be key and will boost all innovative towards further reduction of the leprosy burden in the African Region. 2. Leprosy contribution to the millennium Goal achievement Leprosy burden reduction is a factor of the fight against poverty. Leprosy is not a killing disease but it disabled affected people if they are not early detected and treated. Most of affected people are illiterate living in remote and non accessible areas with low environmental health precautions. Most of them only come to health facilities late after physical damages are created. At this stage, they are rejected from families and communities. They are isolated and could not participate in social and economical activities. Most of them are dependant and when there is no support, they become beggars. 80% of disabled beggars in towns and cities are peoples affected by leprosy. The reduction of leprosy burden is not only the reduction of the number of new cases occurring in a community. It also includes the complications management, re-adaptation, rehabilitation, and reinsertion of people suffering from leprosy stigmas. 3. Leprosy as a component of NTD Neglected tropical diseases (NTD) affect an estimated one billion people in the world. Up to 90% of the total disease burden is believed to occur in Africa 3. Neglected tropical diseases affect the poor communities that form a large proportion of populations in the countries. The magnitude of the burden of the neglected tropical diseases is hardly comprehensive. Its harmful consequences on health include serious stigmatisation and psychological effect on patients, negative impact on productivity of affected populations and therefore reduce family and ultimately national economic potential. A significant number of children are affected by the diseases and many of them suffer considerable delay in their mental development which impacts negatively on their school performance and prospects of improved socio-economic status in adulthood. To achieve existing World Health Assembly and WHO/AFRO Regional Committee resolutions on NTDs and to move closer to Medium-Term Strategic Plan (MTSP) and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the WHO/AFRO Cluster of Disease Prevention and Control is targeting the eradication of dracunculiasis, the elimination of leprosy, lymphatic filariasis, onchocerciasis and trypanosomiasis, and the control of Buruli ulcer, schistosomiasis, intestinal parasitosis, leishmaniasis and endemic treponematosis (yaws and bejel). The overall objective is to provide effective coordination and support to Member States in order to provide access for all populations to interventions for the prevention, control, elimination and eradication of NTDs, including zoonotic diseases in an integrated approach. To that end, comprehensive tools and strategies will be developed for: 3 = Neglected Diseases : A human rights analysis, WHO, TDR/SDR/SEB/ST/07.2 (2007) 22

29 joint advocacy, resource mobilization and communication component, joint plan for strengthening community involvement and participation in NTD control, and comprehensive M & E framework for all NTD control activities. A comprehensive stakeholder analysis and collaboration for better coordination of incomes and inputs will help to strengthen health systems in countries and achieve effectively and efficiently this objective 4. Leprosy situation analysis 4.1 Leprosy prevalence trend in the WHO African Region over the past 5 years The leprosy prevalence has dropped from 43,381 in 2004 to 31,104 cases in This means more than 25% of reduction in the prevalence of the disease. The prevalence rate consequently decreased from 0.63 to 0.39 cases per 10,000 inhabitants in the same period (Graph 1 below). This trend confirms the achievement of the elimination of leprosy as a public health problem in the Region. Graph1: Trend of leprosy prevalence rate in the WHO African Region; Rate/ An04 An05 An06 An07 An08 An09 Year 4 = WHO compilation of leprosy annual statistical reports published by countries 23

30 4.2 Leprosy new cases trend in the WHO African Region over the past 5 years The number of new cases of leprosy detected each year has dropped from 45,024 in 2004 to 28,947 in All indicators (table 1 below) which contribute to analyze the trend and the magnitude of the Mycobacterium leprea infection are stable over years. The proportion of multi bacillary cases is between 66 and 75% of new cases. The proportions of children and disability grade 2 among new cases are between 9 and 11% over years. The proportion of females affected are between 17 and 36% indicating that majority of patients are males. In conclusion, the trend of these indicators is coherent and shows that leprosy is decreasing in the Region but the disease contagious level remains the same over years. The translation of this conclusion is that programmes have to maintain leprosy control activities and improve them if not, the disease will explode. Table 1: Overview of the trend of leprosy essential indicators in the WHO African Region, Indicators Prevalence rate Detection rate % MB/new cases % female/new cases % children/new cases % mutilation grade 2 among new case Leprosy prevalence trend at countries level The trend of the prevalence as observed from the MOH annual statistical reports is decreasing in most of countries. However, the situation is worsening in three countries: Comoros: 72 cases in 2004 and 179 cases in 2009 Liberia: 29 cases in 2004 and 484 cases in 2009 Zambia: 554 cases in 2004 and 711 cases in 2009 The leprosy situation of some specific population needs more attention: Pygmies of Equatorial forest in central Africa countries: Democratic Republic of Congo, Central Africa Republic, Congo, Gabon, and Cameroon Nomadic shepherds in Niger and Chad Refugees and displaced populations in Tanzania, Uganda, Chad, Central Africa, Congo, and Democratic Republic of Congo. 24

31 4.4 Prevalence/detection ratio The prevalence / detection ratio should be less than one, because the duration of the treatment is 12 month for MB cases and only 6 months for PB cases and the reporting period is one year. Only 14 countries have a ratio of less than one. The figures of Congo (2.52) and Liberia (3.03) are worsening 5. This situation indicates an important decrease in the quality of the management of leprosy cases. Table 2: Number of countries of the African Region by range of prevalence/detection ratio in 2009 (WHO compilation of country reports) Prevalence/detection rate Number of countries Less than 1 19 Between 1 and 2 20 More than Leprosy burden in countries of the WHO African Region The leprosy essential indicators in countries of the WHO African Region, is in the table 1 of annex. All countries have reached the goal of elimination. However, the 2009 report is showing Comoros and Liberia as countries with prevalence rate at more than one. This situation needs to be investigated. Today, because all countries have reached the leprosy elimination threshold, the major difficulty is to define a high leprosy burden country. The consensus agreed upon with all partners, is that leprosy burden should include the number of new cases, the proportion of new cases with disability grade 2, the proportion of cases in remote and non accessible areas, the charge of work for health workers and resources available to support the leprosy programme. However, using a simple planning process without consideration of the size of country populations, the number of new cases is used to define three groups of priority in the African Region: Six countries with more than 1,000 new cases per year: Dem. Rep. of Congo, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Mozambique, Nigeria and Tanzania. These countries can be considered as high leprosy burden countries because the risk of rapid expansion of the disease in these countries is high. Six countries with a number of new cases between 500 and 1000 per year: Angola, Côte d Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Niger. These countries can be considered as medium burden countries with a potential risk of expansion. 5 = Table n 1 in annex related to essential indicators of leprosy in countries of the African Region 25

32 Six countries with a number of new cases between 400 and 5000 per year: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Zambia. The trend of new cases needs a close surveillance to early detect the trend. 5. Constraints a) The WHO regional office leprosy programme is under staffed. This programme has been for a while a one man show programme but is now part of NTD unit. The NTD strategic orientation is towards an integrated NTD plan development. This orientation should help to compensate the need of staffing of leprosy programme. However the situation of limited number of technical staff at NTD unit will not help to solve the issue of staffing of specific programmes. b) Data management and information dissemination system are weak. Data flow in countries is not regular. Reports are not available in time. Some country reports are not much reliable or not reflecting the national figures. The software of the computer programme for leprosy data management developed to facilitate data collection and analysis at all levels, is not introduced in programmes for logistic and financial reasons. Most of countries are not publishing leprosy programme achievements. Countries are not sharing best practices on different approaches used to reach unreachable populations in remote and isolate areas. c) Collaboration and coordination with partners mainly ILEP members is weak. Most of ILEP members are organizing direct support to countries. The need of joint plan at country level under the MOH umbrella is expressed but hardly translated into action. Information sharing on the financial support to programmes is low. d) The regional leprosy programme budget is insufficient. The contribution of the core budget of WHO to leprosy activities is nearly nil. NTF/SMHF is the unique source of funding to the regional leprosy programme. The trend of NTF/SMHF contributions to the programme is decreasing (graph 2 below). Leprosy new cases are rare and scattered in countries. Most of the time, cases are in remote areas with no access to health facilities. Therefore, efforts to detect early cases and complete an appropriate treatment are more demanding and more costing while funds are decreasing 26

33 Graph 2: Trend in TNF/SMHF Grant to the WHO African Region leprosy programme Amounts 1,600,000 1,400,000 1,517,150 1,200,000 1,000, ,000 1,002,000 1,045, , , , , , ,000 - year05 year06 year07 year08 year09 year10 year e) The research in leprosy programme is poor. The technical and financial supports to these activities are weak. The African Region is not contributing to the global study on to leprosy drugs resistance because of operational issues linked to the staff and to the logistic organization. f) Some constraints linked to the programme implementation are: unstable geographical coverage due to frequent reshuffle of the staff, miss management of leprosy specific drugs, difficulties to get loose clofazimin for reactions treatment, irregular supervision, lack of trainings, and absence of independent evaluation of programmes. 6. Leprosy programme challenges Since 1985, with the introduction of Rifampicin as the corner stone of the treatment of leprosy affected people, the prevalence of leprosy has dropped by more than 90% in the African Region. Over 1.5 million patients have been cured of the disease through multi drug therapy treatment. As of today, all countries in the Region have achieved the elimination of leprosy as a public heath problem. This success would have not been possible without a strong commitment of endemic countries supported by international community including the Nippon Foundation, Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation, Novartis and the Novartis Foundation for Sustainable Development, bilateral organizations and national and international NGOs, notably the International Federation of Anti-leprosy associations (ILEP). Leprosy control has reached a critical state where number of patients has been dramatically reduced in recent decades but the disease still exists. Leprosy continues to be 27

34 part of major issues contributing to impoverish the population in Africa. The need of maintaining high quality of leprosy case management is high. Major challenges include: Improving access to diagnosis through integration of leprosy case management activities into existing public health services. Organizing leprosy medicines management by providing effective multi drug therapy blister packs (MDT) free of charge and supporting countries to avoid shortage and expiring stock situations countrywide. Early detection of new cases countrywide to ensure the reduction of the risk of deformities and disabilities among patients and ensure that leprosy sufferers can live normal lives with dignity. Maintaining high-level political commitment and social mobilization to change the image of leprosy and rehabilitate people affected by the disease. Organizing a good surveillance system is essential for sustainable leprosy control in countries which have eliminated leprosy as a public health problem. On top of all these challenges, further reducing the leprosy burden at all health system levels in countries through a coordinated inter-sectoral approach, substantial funding and greater participation of NGOs and foundations will be more challenging. WHO Regional Office Leprosy Plan of Action 7. Mission of the programme The mission of the regional leprosy program is to provide technical orientation, support and guidance to Member States in the WHO African Region in order to contribute to the prevention, control, and elimination of leprosy in the Region, including research in prevention and control of the disease. 8. Core functions of the programme 8.1 Developing regional leprosy strategies and supporting Member States in adapting and implementing strategies, guidelines, and plans of action to reduce the burden of leprosy in the Region 8.2 Coordinating leprosy drug donation and management in countries and supporting the national teams in plans development for case finding, treatment and follow up, and ensure functional information system with regular and reliable reporting frame 8.3 Supporting Member States in monitoring and evaluating progress made in reducing the burden of leprosy in the Region 8.4 Establishing a well-coordinated network of institutions and partners to support endemic countries in building operational capacity and carry forward operational research in support of global leprosy initiatives. 28

35 9. Objectives 9.1 Global objective Reduce the rate of new cases with grade-2 disabilities per population by at least 35% by the end of 2015, compared to the baseline at the end of WHO Regional office specific objective Eliminate leprosy as a public health problem at all the health districts in at least 22 countries of the African Region during the period of 2011 to Regional targets and milestones The objectives, indicators and milestones for the regional leprosy programme are summarized in the table 2 in annex. The number of new cases with disability grade 2 is expected to be reduced from 3,532 in 2010 to 2,200 in The number of countries with leprosy eliminated at all health districts level will be increased from 2 to 22 by Main interventions a) Development and disseminate guidelines and strategies to orient the elaboration of leprosy plan within a national NTD integrated plan in countries of the African Region. b) Support countries to develop and finalize a new national leprosy strategic plan integrated to the national NTD oriented plan. c) Support countries in capacity building development at national level in collaboration with integrated disease surveillance and response unit. d) Contribute to the reinforcement of national leprosy information system as part of a strong M & E system for NTD control in countries of the African Region. e) Maintain evidence-based advocacy and awareness for leprosy programmes and leprosy affected people rehabilitation and reinsertion in countries of the African Region. f) Support countries to strengthen the leprosy case management activities including reporting and information dissemination. g) Scale up active case finding, treatment and surveillance activities in high endemic countries by: Coordinating activities for the monitoring of the elimination of leprosy at national level and, 29

36 developing new strategies to enable early case detection and treatment to eliminate leprosy at sub-national levels Organizing surveillance activities in collaboration with Integrated Disease Surveillance Unit h) Support the implementation of research protocols related to the control of leprosy 11. Budget 11.1 Budget distribution for activities and for each year 30

37 11.2 Budget distribution for group of countries for each year 11.3 Budget detail for countries and Regional office The detailed distribution of the budget is in annex B Sasakawa Memorial Health Foundation (SMHF) funds for regional leprosy programme 2010 mid term report Year Budget area Activities for elimination and further reducing leprosy burden Leprosy elimination monitoring & surveillance Advocacy and Community Action for leprosy control Technical staff support in region & countries TAG, Intercountry meetings & operational support Total Rollover funds from , , , grant 152,000 75,000 15, , ,000 1,002, Total available for the year 182,678 75,000 15, , ,000 1,191,904 Total expenditures 374,058 30, , ,600 1,161,884 Remaining funds at the end of 2007 Rollover funds from ,380 45,000 15,000-13, ,400 30,020 30,020 30, grant 360,000 80,000 35, , ,000 1,045, Total available for the year 360,000 80,000 35, , ,020 1,075,020 Total expenditures 360,000 80,000 35, ,000 75, ,020 Remaining funds at the end of ,000 55, ,000 31

38 Year Budget area Activities for elimination and further reducing leprosy burden Leprosy elimination monitoring & surveillance Advocacy and Community Action for leprosy control Technical staff support in region & countries TAG, Intercountry meetings & operational support Total Rollover funds from ,000 55, , grant 105, ,000 20, , , , Total available for the year 105, ,000 20, , ,000 1,045,000 Total expenditures 115, ,000 30, , ,000 1,005,000 Remaining funds at the end of 2008 Rollover funds from ,000-10,000-10,000-70,000 40,000 40,000 40, grant 60, ,000 25, ,000 95, , Total available for the year 60, ,000 25, , , ,000 Total expenditures 60, ,000 25, ,000 35, ,000 Remaining funds at the end of 2009 Rollover funds from 2009* , , , , grant 160, ,000 50, ,000 65, , Special contribution from partners** Total available for the year 51,085 51, , ,000 50, , , ,085 Total expenditures 226, ,000 65, , , ,210 Expected remaining funds at the end of ,000-5,000-15,000-1, ,875 28,875 * = USD 50,000 as AFRO budget rollover funds ** = USD 51,085 are expected from NLR (USD 11,899), AFRF (USD 28,310.75) and SMHF (USD 10,875) as contribution to the regional meeting NB = The Programme Support Costs are not included in amounts 32

39 Annex A Table 1: Essential leprosy indicators by country for the year 2009 in the WHO African Region as from MOH 33

40 Table 2: Regional leprosy programme targets and milestones 34

41 Annex B Detailed distribution of the budget to countries according to activities and years 35